Special Event: World Read Aloud Day

On March 9, 2011, My Little Bookcase was proud to facilitate an event that reached 60 countries and over 200,000 participants on March 9, 2011.

According to Litworld, at least 774 million people in the world cannot read or write. World Read Aloud Day is organised to recognise this statistic and to promote reading as a powerful practice.

Held at Babycinos Café, our event was attended by 35 children and their parents and grandparents. The weather didn’t quite hold out for us to enjoy our story peacefully under the Babycinos Tree. Nevertheless, the children were given many opportunities to be empowered by words and connect with the story. Babycinos Café is a delightful haven for children and the rain didn’t stop them from enjoying their day.

Photo courtesy of MLB reader, Jane H.

We started our storytime with some songs about dragons and then read a magical story written and illustrated by Anna Walker, I Don’t Believe in Dragons.

Photo courtesy of MLB reader, Jane H.

Children were given the opportunity to go on a Dragon Hunt and create their own dragon footprint. Here you will find more information on the book and activities.

Thanks to the donations of Australian publishers, local and online businesses and my personal funds we were able to run this event free of charge to participants who were asked to make an online donation to Litworld. It was also extremely kind and giving of Marguerite, owner of Babycinos Cafe to host the event for us.

Photo courtesy of MLB reader, Jane H.

I am incredibly thankfully to the following businesses for their donations to the day and to the goodie bags that each child received.

Hardie Grant Egmont supplied each child with a copy of Picture This, by Alison Jay

Fuzzy Creations supplied every child with a finger puppet.

Three Four Knock on the Door supplied every child with bookplates, bookmarks and in-store discounts plus they donated 2 x $25 vouchers to giveaway on the day.